Chen and Rangers agree to minor league contract

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Left-hander Bruce Chen agreed to a minor
league contract Tuesday with the Texas Rangers and will go to
spring training with the chance to compete for a spot in the
starting rotation.

Chen was 0-7 with a 6.93 ERA in 12 starts and 28 relief
appearances for Baltimore last year, but was 13-10 with a 3.83 ERA
in 2005. In nine major league seasons with Atlanta, Philadelphia,
the New York Mets, Montreal, Cincinnati, Houston, Boston and
Baltimore, his record is 35-37 with a 4.60 ERA in 237 games.

He would get a $1.1 million, one-year contract if added to the
40-man roster and the chance to earn performance bonuses.

Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy and Robinson
Tejeda -- all signed past the 2007 season -- are the likely top four
starters for rookie manager Ron Washington. Millwood was a 16-game
winner last year, and Padilla won 15 games.

The Rangers previously agreed to a minor league deal with
right-hander Jamey Wright. Kameron Loe, John Koronka and Edinson
Volquez were part-time starters last season for Texas and will also
be in the mix this spring.